Water Collection and Purification

Kevin EstelaSurvival Instructor

Wilderness Learning Center435 Sandy Knoll RoadChateaugay, NY 12920www.weteachu.com

Agenda• Water Requirements• Things that can harm you• Treatment• Not So Urban

Legends/Myths• Ways to Make Water Safe• Improving the Taste• Water Collection• Special Circumstances• Recommended Gear• Last Minute Tips and

Tricks• Definite Do’s and Don’ts• Notes

Photo Credit: Kevin EstelaLocation: Little Square Pond in the Adirondacks

Water Requirements• At least one liter of water per person per day. Twice or triple this in the

winter or during heavy aerobic work. Water is used to keep the body cool through sweating.

• Necessary to keep your body functioning properly. Digestion requires fluids. Constipation can occur if the body isn’t hydrated.

• Water helps the liver remove toxins and helps the blood circulate more efficiently. Remember, the body is ¾ water.

• Urine should be translucent or light yellow. May vary with vitamin or mineral intake.

• The brain is 80% water and requires it to function properly. • Drink little but often. It is better to drink before you feel thirsty than a

lot when you are dry mouthed. At this point, you are probably 2% dehydrated.

• The body uses calories to warm any fluids ingested. Drinking cold water can bring about chills or cooling sensations.

Things That Can Harm You• Parasites

Giardisis (Giardia)Symptoms include gas, diarrhea, upset stomach, greasy stool, nausea Cryptosporidiosis Symptoms include those associated with the Flu, watery diarrhea and loss of appetite

• BacteriaDysentery Symptoms include bloody stool, fever and vomiting

• VirusesHepatitis A Symptoms include jaundice, fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue

• ChemicalsLead, petroleum products, fertilizers, etc. Source: www.cdc.gov

Mugshots of the “Invisible” Nasties

Photo Credit: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Treatment• According to the CDC, healthy individuals will

recovery from Crypto on their own w/o treatment. Simply drink plenty of “safe” fluids.

• Giardia treatment is similar with the recommendation of anti-biotics.

• Lack of treatment results in severe dehydration and ultimately death.

• If a person is suspected to be suffering from any water-borne ailment, consider the trip to be over and seek immediate medical attention.

• Don’t let a bad situation become worse!• Monitor for dehydration before it becomes a

problem. Monitor for irritability, headache, nausea, dizziness, inability to swallow or thirst.

Not So “Urban” Legends/Myths

• Running water is safe to drink.• Eating snow is one way to rehydrate safely.• Cold water doesn’t contain anything harmful.• Drinking salt water in small doses is safe.• Water found in natural depressions is safe to

drink.• Urine is safe to drink.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE ANY OF THE ABOVE TRUE!

Ways to Make Water Safe• Chemical (Iodine or Chlorine)

iodine crystals, tinctures, etc.

• Mechanical and Electrical (Pumps, straws and pens)Filter vs. Purifier (Regional and Worldwide Concerns)Ultraviolet Pens (Battery operated, not approved for cold weather by U.S. Military)

• Boiling (at least 10 minutes)Metal cup is a requirementBoiling is possible in a non-metallic cup but difficultSafest way to turn suspect water into safe water

Photos of Treatment Products

Photo Credit: www.polarequipment.com Photo Credit: www. Equipped.orgPhoto Credit: www.potableaqua.com

Boiling Water Method• Note the “log

cabin” built around the bottle.

• Also note the use of the snare to suspend the bottle.

• Here, softwood is used to burn hot quickly.

Photo Credit: Kevin Estela

Improving the Taste• Chemically treated water often has an

aftertaste to it.• Boiled water tastes flat to some.• Use powdered drink mixes to improve the

taste if available. • Pine Needles add Vitamin C and remove

some taste.• Keep your bottle clean if using additives

otherwise it will attract bugs.

Water Collection

• Transpiration BagsChoose the leafiest tree branch that faces EastSet up multiple bags for increased water collection

• Solar StillsDon’t waste your timeThink effort put into making it versus amount of water producedWhere are you going to get a large plastic sheet? Why not use it for shelter? Why waste resources?

• Rag or SpongeBandannas can pick up morning moisturePrepackaged dry sponges take up no space in a survival kitA bandanna can also be used to make a crude water filter

Transpiration Bag• Place a large

bag around a thick group of deciduous live leaves.

• Make sure it is in the sunlight

• Just like a person, a tree will sweat but it will sweat clean drinking water.

Photo Credit: Tom Sciacca of www.mydirttime.com

Water Collection Continued

• Winter water generators are bags or containers of snow that melt near heat sources (fire, body, etc.)

• Seepage basins can be dug for sediment-filled water near swamps

• Rainwater collection devices (i.e. poncho, garbage bag, emergency blanket)

• A string leading to a cup will let drops of water run along the length of cord into the container

• Ferns, moss and other plant life can indicate where water sources are.

• Animals are attracted to water. Follow their tracks downhill.

Special Circumstances

• Cold weather-Eating snow lowers body core temperatures.-Water left in pump filters can expand as ice and destroy delicate filters.-Add a little water to a pot before melting snow over heat.

• Saltwater environment-Saltwater can be boiled and the moisture from the steam is pure water.-Drinking salt water will make you sick.-Drinking fluids from fish can lead to more salt intake.

• Desert or high heat-Drink as much water as possible. Force yourself if need be.-Wear loose clothes with long sleeves and legs.-Travel at night and rest during the day.-Work only in the coolest part of the day.

Recommended Gear• Reynolds Oven Bags vs. Condoms or

Ballons• Large plastic bags (Contractor grade if

possible)• PolarPur or Pur Tablets• Metal Canteen 32 oz. or equivalent i.e. Metal

Cup• Bandanna or sponge• Small length of cordage and a small length of

silicon tubing

A Variety Of Metal Water Containers

• USGI Stainless Canteen

• Guyot Designs Stainless Steel “Standard Bottle”

• Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Botttle

Photo Credit: Kevin Estela

Last Minute Tips and Tricks

• Water trapped around the threads of a bottle lid is often not treated. Caution!

• Store bottles upside down in the cold, ice forms from the top down.

• Don’t let your lips freeze to the metal of your canteen. Warm it up with your hand or breath.

• A straining device will help filter out sediment and particles when pouring water from a pot.

• Avoid caffeine, salty foods or alcohol if the water supply is limited.

Definite Do’s and Don’ts• Do take every opportunity to “tank up”

• Do practice water collection

• Don’t assume water is safe to drink

• Don’t boil water for less than 10 minutes

• Do be prepared with multiple ways to treat water

• Do learn the limitations of your equipment and yourself before you head out

• Do drink water since WATER = LIFE!

Notes